LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 38, 14 August 1919, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The AncklanTl branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association.(says a Press, Association telegram) has decided to withhold all moneys from headquarters until that body hands over unconditionally to the Auckland Provincial Committee all amounts due to it under the decision of the recent conference that provincial committees shall receive for organisation purposes two shillings out of tho four shillings capitation fee paid to headquarters by branch associations; The.opinion was expressed that the action of headquarters in not fulfilling the letter or the spirit of the conference decision was to block political propaganda. Several members spoke of cutting adrift from the New Zealand body if the present course was persisted in by headquarters. The Auckland branch.membership approaches ten thousand. Regarding the proposed construction of tennis courts at Trentham, the Chairman of the local committee of the Red Cross Society stated yesterday that there was a difficulty in finding someone to do the work. The hope was expressed that some public-spirited: contractor would come along and help the society out of its trouble in this respect. Reporting to a meeting of the Wellington District Repatriation Board, the district officer, Mr. C. W. Batten, stated that_ fifteen applications for grants for furniture and tools of trade had been dealt with, and, in addition, 30 applications for loans to start businesses, and 21 applications from disabled men, apprentices, ' and students for training courses had^ been considered. In the case of businesses the loans were required for the following occupations:— Blacksmith, billiard saloon keeper, cabinetmaker, plumber, bricklayer, architect, dentist, taxi-driver, bootmaker, auction- [ eer, confectioner, farmer, bacon curer, poultry keeper, butchery, wool pressor, fisherman, baker, engineer, and carrier. There was also an application from an artist. The applications for training fees were for accountancy, chemistry, engineering, teaching, law, surveying, coachbuilding, and bookbinding. Farmers are often doubtful as to the saving to be effected by having good roads, and are unwilling to rate themselves to provide for improvements to roads. Interesting evidence on the subject is given (says tho Taranaki Herald) by the experience of settlers at the White Cliffs, where a road was recently metalled by means of a special loan. As the result of the improvement in" the road surface casting from the factory is now done at 5s per ton less than- the old rate. The sum thus saved is enough to pay tho special rates of all the suppliers and leave £5 over. Besides this gain the suppliers themselves have a good road instead of a bad one, and thus save much time and wear and tear to vehicles.

Reference to the relative positions of the detective and uniform branches of the Police Force was made by. Sergeant C. W. Lopdell in replying to remarks at a presentation made ,jto. him last night in recognition of his services on behalf of the latter branch before the Police Commission of Inquiry. He said that to some extent he had thought the detectives were gaining advantages that were not fair tr) the uniform branch. Finally, however, the matter had been thrashed out at the Committee of Inquiry, and he was very pleased that the platform he and others had prepared had been almost unanimously accepted by the committee. The suggestions framed on behalf of the uniform branch had been considered by the committee to be a fair and proper solution of the difficulty. The benefits that had been obtained by the police recently, he added, were in no small measure due to the sympathetic interest of the Minister of Justice and the Commissioner of Police.

There is a large number of seamen in New Zealand on the unemployed list, stated Mr. W. T. Young, secretary of the Seamen's. Federation, to a reporter. The Australian strike was in. some way to blame, but the principal factor, so far as unemployment was concerned, was the laying up of so many boats belonging to the Union Steam Ship Company for refitting prior to entering the mercantile service. Those vessels had been used as transports and hospital ships, and the fact that they were being laid art to be refitted meant that a large number of seamen and others had been thrown out' of employment. The vessels laid up were the Maunganui and Monowai (troopships), Marama and Maheno (hospital ships), while the crew of the Manuka and the Ulimaroa had been paid off at Wellington. It might be said that in the case of the Manuka and Ulimaroa's crews, their discharge was due to the Australian strike,- but in tho case of the'other vessels the paying off of the crews had nothing to do with the strike. „" I should say," continued Mr. Youngf' " that at present there are 300 additional men on our unemployed list._ The position with regard to the steamers' for Australia is that the seamen, will not man them-. Regarding the Ulimaroa, an effort is being made to secure a crew to take her to Sydney, and if this is done that will employ about 50 of the unemployed men."

Last week the Council of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors held a special meeting in Wellington to receive a representative delegation from the Now Zealand Government Licensed Surveyors' Association with respect to the recent reclassification of the Public Service. The delegates drew the council's, attention to certain anomalies in the new classification list, which, they contended, if allowed to pass unchallenged by the institute, and if carried into effect, would adversely affect the professional status of the Government surveyors as compared with that of the other professions in the Public Service. The council held a lengthy sitting, and after going thoroughly into the matter decided to niako strong representations to tho Public Service Commissioners and to the Under-Secretary for Lands, with a view to having the new classification reviewed, in order that the existing anomalies might be removed and a due and proper recognition given to tho status oi the professionally qualified surveyors in the Public Service.

A Patea baker has been fined £20 and costs for selling bread short of. weight. The Magistrate said'the case was a bad one. Eighteen months or two years ago the defendant was fined £25.. For the last three months defendant had known the bread :vras short weight, and yet had not takon steps to have the bread brought up" to full weight. People must not be allowed to sell short weight bvsadi If. ft (4Bf«etiv«i-evea whb wasd mora Uoiw ffl«fit.be added,

The following remits were adopted at a meeting of the Wanganui Schools Committee, and will be sent on to tho Schools Committees' Association Conference, to be held in Wellington on 3rd September:—(l) Free secular education for all .children up to 16 years, the word "free" to mean the provision of all books and material required for children in the course of their education. (2) The establishment of schools in the North Island io'c the education of backward children and deaf children, with free tuition for the children of parents in receipt of less than £200 a year. (3) Employment of school children before school hours to be prohibited. A tribute to the New Zealand soldier is contained in a letter received by His Excellency the Governor-General from the Right Hon. Walter Long, First Lord of the Admiralty. , The letter was in acknowledgment of a copy of the report prepared by Colonel Gibbon, detailing the work done in raising and training the New Zealand Force. Mr. Long refers to the statement as meet interesting, and he goes on to say: "It is a fine force and a magnificent effort, which rendered splendid service to the Empire, the Allies, and the world, and to their immortal honour a very warm place will always remain in the hearts of all in the old Mother Land for these gallant and undefeated New Zealand soldiers." A complaint that an undue proportion of less capable a.nd uncertificated teachers are sent to. country schools was made by several country members of the Auckland Education Board this week, telegraphs The Post's correspondent. The Chairman, Mr. E. C." Banks, explained that since the outbreak of the war increasing difficulty had been experienced in staffing. schools, with the result that the board was now short of 30 or 40 teachers. " And now," concluded the Chairman, "the soldiers are coming back and marrying our lady teachers." Mrs. F. E. Baume stated that there were at present 180 teachers *t the Training College, whp, with the male teachers returning from.active service, promised better staffing for the schools in the near ftlture. l

Strong exception was taken t>y the Mayor of Christchurch io the wording of a resolution received by the Christ^ church City Council on Monday evening from the National Peace Council, protesting against' his Worship's alleged proposal- to establish permanent camps in. the vicinity of Christchurch, under the proposed Territorial training scheme (reports the Press). The Mayor (Dr, Thacker) said his action had not been taken from a military standpoint at all. He took it there would be some system of physical training given to the young men of this country. _ "And so that I can prevent the Minister of Defence from " he was proceeding to say when he was interrupted by Councillor Burgoyne's stentorian cry : "Down with militarism !" Continuing, the Mayor said that the suggestion he had made to Sir James Allen was that if the camps were to be established, there should -tie some in, the South Island. "I therefore," he said, "utterly repudiate and deny the statement of a so-called president of a Peace Society. I don't recognise- either him or hia society," (Hear, hear.) "Down with militarism, Mr. Mayor," shouted Councillor Burgoyne once more. ■ Information supplied to last night's meeting of the council of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society shows that the society has collected 567,000 ova of brown trout, and has purchased 300,000 from Hakataramea (Government hatchery in Otago), and 25.0,000 from the Otago' Society, a total of 1,117,000 ova. Of rainbow trout the society his purchased 200,000 from the Government at Rotorua. The following allocation was approved by the meeting:—Brown trout/ —Wairarapa North, 150,000 (with the right to purchase another 150,000).; Wairarapa South, 100,000; Eketahuna, 100,000; Pahiatua, 80,000; Levin, 35,000; Taihape, 50,000; Palmerston North, 60,000; Waikanae, 20^000; Wainui, 2G,uuO; Hutt River, 125,000; Akatarama, 30,000; , Mungaroa, 15,000; Little Wainui and Horokiwi, 10,000; I Marton River, 20,000; Sutherland Bros., 1 2000; Korokoro, 1000; Masterton Ponds, 10,000; total, 978,000. Rainbow —Marton,' 40,000; Hunterville, 35,000 ; Taihape, 20,000; Pahiatua, 12,000 ; Palmerston North, 20,000; Levin, 10,000; Mangaweka-, 10,000; Waiotouru (Otaki), 10,000; Wainui Reservoir, 3000; Tauranganuj, 5000; Turekina, 6000; Sutherland Bros. (Hinakura), 2000 ; Hamna, 1000 ; D. Matheson (Mnrchison), 1000; total, 175,000.

The trade prospects of the Solomon Islands were mentioned by the Rev. J. M. Steward) Bishop-Elect of Melanesia, in an interview at Auckland. He said (according to The Post's Auckland correspondent) there were good openings for men with capital, but he would not advise any person whose monetary resources were limited to take up land. The chief commodity produced ' was copra, and trade in this substance was at present in the hands of two firms, wth headquarters in Sydney. There appeared to be plenty of plantation land available, but any settler commencing on country not already planted would have to wait for six or seven, years until the coconut trees came into profitable bearing. The British Solomons and the late German Solomons had been called the Singapore of the Pacific, and settlers with a large amount of capital would be able to profitably undertake any form of tropical agriculture. At present there were about 700 to 800 Europeans living on the various islands. Important possibilities attaching to the Solomon Islands as a naval base for the Pacific were referred to by Mr. Steward. He stated that recently Lord Jellicoe paid a brief visit to the principal island, and it was understood that as an aeroplane or submarine station the Solomon group had distinct advantages. The Solomons were not coral islands; they were high volcanic islands, with extensive harbours, providing deep and safe anchorage for a great many ships. A gratifying instance of a promise made and scrupulously fulfilled was before the Christchurch Land Board yesterday. The application was a routine one—an application to transfer an interest -in a grazing run in the Mount Peel district to three discharged soldiers. The details, hovi ever, were out of the ordinary. It was explained in support of the application that when cix youiig men of the district enlisted, the lessee of a run promised tbem the goodwill of it when they returned. 01 the six, three have "gone West,'-' and tliree returned. Tho lessee, therefore, in accordance with his promise, applied to the board to approve the transfer. The lessee's interest in the run amounts to £8000, and the net annual profit from it to close upon £2000. Tho transfer of the gift of the goodwill is subject to stamp duty amounting to over £100, a cheque for which was forwarded. The solicitor for , the lessee suggested that, as the State was being relieved of its- liability to throe soldiers, it might remit the stamp duty. The transfer was approved, and it was agreed to recommend the Minister of Lands to arrange for a remission of the stamp duty. At its last meeting tho board declined an application for an advance under the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act, owing to the vendor's value being considered too high. Yesterday (says a Press Association telegram) the vendor appeared and stated his willingness to accept 30 per cent., less, and the application was granted. The deal involved a total of £4000 or »<>, Mid tho diesharaed soldier, therefore, had a btuidleap oi about £1300 removed,

|'. Wasteful use of irrigation waters was condemned strongly Sy Mr. F. W. Furkert, of the Public Works Department, in the course of a lecture in Christchurch. In the United States, he said, a farmer had used sjft of water on an acre of lucerne before cutting it. \An engineer arrajjg"ed for a demonstration, and divided the acre into halves. On one half he used the original amount of water. On the other he used 6in. The land on which 6in of water was used produced twice as much as the other. .

"Until quite recently," remarked Mr. N. B. M'Callum at a meeting of Christchurch returned soldiers on Monday night, "very few estates were being opened up for returned soldiers in Canterbury, and the result was that many men drifted up to the North Island, where more land .was available, or else they had gone to other employment. Owing to the small amount of land available in Canterbury, discharged soldiers were severely handicapped, and were missing opportunities to which they were entitled."

A particularly fast trip by motor-car between Christchuroh and Dunedin was made last Sunday by Mr. R. Leslie Jones. He left Christchurch at 9.40 a.m., passed through Asbburton at 11.40, and arrived at Timaru at 1.20 p.m. He was delayed at Rakaia bridge for fifteen minutes to permit a wagon loaded with petrol to cross. He left Timaru at 2.30 p.m., and passed through Oamaru at 3.45 p.m. He was delayed through tire trouble at Hampden for 45 minutes, and left there at 5.25, and arrived at the Dunedin Post Office at 7 p.m, His actual running time was 6hr 30min.

"I'm proud to be here, proud to be back in New Zealand," Sir Joseph Ward said at a function in Christchurch on Monday night (reports the Lyttelton Times). "This is one of the most beautiful countries I have seen. It's a country worth living in; it's a country worth working for; it's a country worth coming back to. I have been away on several occasions, and people sometimes said that I had gone for good; but it's astonishing how a bad penny always turns up again, and so I'm here in these happy surroundings. It seems only yesterday since I was in Paris, a day or two ago in London, then New York, then Canada, and finally I find myself back in young old New. Zealand." (Applause.)

There was* considerable discussion at this week's meeting of the Otaki branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union regarding a proposal that the head office of the union prepare a statement of comparative prices—wholesale and retail— of farmers' products, such as wool, bacon, etc. Messrs. Ryder and Harper contended that there was too wide a margin in the price paid to farmers for wool and that charged buyers of wool. With regard to bacon, the opinion was expressed that there was not so much to grumble about; indeed one farmer said that a local farmer who had been retailing bacon at Is 2d per pound claimed that it would have paid him better to have sold his pigs outright instead of curing them. , It was decided to leave the matter to the branch's delegate.

A brief discussion took place at a recent meeting of Christchurch returned soldiers on tho question of giving preference to returned men in ballots for seotions specially suitable for them. A motion in favour of giving preference to the limbless men was moved by Mr. Campbell. Several speakers opposed the proposal, one member pointing out that at Oatlanks Park Hospital, in England, where most of the limbless men had been stationed, special classes, of instruction had. been held .in engineering and other branches, and very few. of the men had evidenced any desire to take up farming/ The secretary, Mr. W. E. Leadlay, pointed out that the proposal did. not emanate from the limbless men themselves, who were diffident about asking for such preference: The motion was defeated.

The police at Foxton were advised one evening this week 'that a Chinaman, employed at the gardens at Himatangi, had been assaulted by two persons whom he found stealing vegetables from the gardens. On arrival at the scene they found the Chjnaman in a semi-conscious state, showing evidence of having been rather badly knocked about, He had an ugly cut across the head, which was also bruised in other places, and had lost a good deal of blood. Medical aid was immediately snmmoned, and the man's wounds attended to.' Other Chinamen, one armed with a pitchfork and another in possession of a gun, engaged in the struggle, the latter keeping the men at bay until the arrival of the police. It is understood that the two men concerned admit being *in the garden, and claim that they were attacked by the Chinaman with a pitchfork, and" that the injuries sustained by the Chinaman were caused through his falling on the metal road during the struggle.

° "It was only to be expected - that my friend Dr. Thacker should be at tho apex of the municipal government of, this great city of Christchurch," remarked Sir Joseph Ward at a function at the Christchurch Soldiers'" Club. "And I am quite sure," Sir_ Joseph added, "that he will discharge his manysided duties as satisfactorily as he has done everything he has taken in hand." A little later Sir Joseph had occasion, again to refer to the Mayor. "I mustn't call the Mayor 'Dr. Thacker,''' he said, "but 'his Worship the Mayor—the Lord Mayor of Christchurch.'" In view of opinions that have been expressed rocally to the effect that the Mayors of the four centres in the Dominion should possess the title of "Lord Mayor," a reporter, in chatting to Sir Joseph Ward after the*function, inquired if there was anything behind the reference to the "Lord Mayor of Christchurch," or whether it was only a bow drawn at a venture. . Sir Joseph said that this last phrase described the matter, and he expressed some astonishment when hei heard that the matter had been the subject of some local discussion. The Masterton County Council has decided to divide the Wainuioru riding, and' to create a separate riding. Kirkcaldie and Stains, Ltd., are offering a splendid range of cotton Covert Raincoats, in very smart styles, large or small collars, at 59s 6d. These are in serviceable shades, and usually sold at 4£ guineas. Sale ends Saturday.—Advt. " Smile and the world smiles with you." Rub and you rub alone, because No Rubbing Laundry Help washes ail clothes clean without rubbing or injury; ls packet. Wm. Campbell, Ltd.—Advt. "Troubled about shifting? Not a bit. The New Zealand Express Company's motor-van, and skilled men are coming. I'm not worrying." 87-91, Cus-tomhouse-quay.—Advt. Stocktaking preparations at "The People's Store" are proceeding apace. The Dress Goods Department is offering for one week its entire stock of Tootal's Corded Velvet, 27 inches wido (every yard guaranteed fast pile .and dye), at 6s lid yard. This fabric is ideal for ladies' and children's dresses, etc., for day or evoning wear, and is procurable in eighteen desirable shades. As thia will bo your last chance of securing this most satisfactory material at the jaresent price, wo recommend an early selection. If unable to call post your order immediately to C. Smith, Ltd., 96-102, Cuba-street, Wellington — Advt. Umbrellas iii great variety, natural and horn handles, Fox's and Hoyland's frames, 6s 6d to 57s 6d. Geo. Fowlds, Ltd,, Mawierjs-ttreefc,—Advt.

Aj sharp shock of earthquake was experienced in Wellington shortly before 11 o'clock last night. In the Wairarapa News published in the Evening Post of Monday last, it was stated that Mr. James Callister and Mr. Archibald Callister were each fined £10 and costs at Carterton on two charges of assault. The solicitors . engaged in the case, Messrs. Bunny, Burridge, and Douglas, write that this is incorrect. They state that James Callißter and Archibald Callister each separately charged Frank and Arthur Callister with assault, and the two latter were each convicted, and fined £5, with Court costs £1 10s, witnesses' expenses £1 lis, and soli-' citors' fee^ £3 3s. Dr. H. Westby Amyes, who left Chrifitchurch seven years ago to study medicine and surgery abroad, is expected to arrive back in that city soon, from America. He intends to proceed to Edinburgh to complete his studies. Twelve months ago he married Miss Ruth Anderson, an American heiress, who will accompany him on his present trip. A motion that, it should be a recommendation to the Government that all' courthouses, post offices, public schools, and bridges should be constructed according to standardised plans, was discussed at Monday's meeting of the Otaki branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. Mr. F. J. Ryder said that he could sco no force in preparing fresh, plans forovery new structure of this kind. By all means let them make the fullest inquiry, and,when they once adopted an architect's plan for a schoolhouse or a post office, let them stick to it.' Of course there would need to be a change of design according to the size of tho towns to be served, but if standardised plans were adopted it would save agreat deal of money which was how being wasted, and which the farmer had to pay every time. Mr. Harper was afraid that .standardisation of plans might lead to conservatism, and they wanted to keep right up to date. After a little discussion, the motion, which was seconded by Mr. M. Simcox, was carried without dissent.

Amongst the aliens interned in NewZealand during the war was Mr. Paul M. Hansen, who was for some considerable time prominently associated with the management of the Auckland electric tramways. Mrs. Hansen recently wroteto the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association, drawing attention to the case of her interned husband. She 6tated that she, like her young son, is New Zealand born and bred, but that her husband was bora in Germany, though Mr. Hansen's father and all his people were born under Danish sovereignty. "He left Germany," states the letter, "when 22 years of age, and had not to serve in the army there. He was first five years in London, and the last 23 years in New Zealand., Twenty years ago he became a naturalised subjeot, and I know lie was ever loyal to his adopted country, and his internment is solely due to the false accusations of some cowardly traducers. Three years ago he applied for a trial before an impartial tribunal, but it was refused—this in spite of the fact that he holds papers of naturalisation. Even a supposed criminal gets his day at court, but this was denied my husband; however, he will yet make every endeavour, and use all fair means at his disposal to secure'full justice." ,It is added that "traducers" are now trying ,to prevent Mr. Hansen from earning a living in New Zealand. The executive decided to "receive" the letter, no action being taken. . .

"Ceiturion," in a letter to The Post, complains of the administration of the law relating to advances to ex-soldiers for the purchase of town and suburban properties'. _"The chief cause for complaint is the annoying delay, first in obtaining a, valuation of the property, and second, in payment of the loan^e-ven when sanctioned. It is seldom that the valuer views a property until the option has almost expired, and his report sometimes does not reach the Department concerned until'after the option has actually run out. This would appear to be due to the. fact that two departments are concerned and time lost in communication between them. It is immaterial whether the option is for four weeks or three months, the delay is the same. With regard to payment of the money when the loan is once sanctioned the procedure is even worse, in the majority of cases no payment is made for months (I know of an instance where the advance was granted about two months ago, and no payment has yet been made, this is on top of the four weeks' option, thus spreading over a period of three months, and no cash forthcoming)." Regarding a statement that in some cases failure to obtain advances is due to the applicant not being in a position to pay the difference between the amount sanctioned by the Department, and the price asked by the vendor "Centurion"" says, "it is well known that the Department will generally refuse to sanction an advance if the valuation falls short by more than a very email percentage of the purchase price." The correspondent further alleges that .the working of the Act is coming to a deadlock. Land ag.ents will not look at the husiness, and owners of houses are. unwilling to give options to soldiers, because of the delays and the uncertainty of results.

Corporal A. J. Shoebridge, who died from pneumonia at Christchurch, recently, was 32 years of age, and hailed from Palmerston Nortli. He left for the' front with the Main Body, / attached to the Wellington Infantry Regiment, and served in Gallipoli from tho landing on 25th April until the advance at Suvla Bay, in August, 1915. During the latter operations he had his right arm shattered, arid was captured by the Turks. After undergoing many hardships at the hands of his captors, he reached Constantinople, where ho was put to bed unwashed. Boiled wheat thereafter formed his chief food, though the American Embassy supplied extra comforts. He underwent an operation, and was transferred to another hospital, where his quarters consisted of a cellar, curtained with cobwebs, the windows being boarded up, the floor bare, and the door locked. One blanket and one mattress served as bedding for three men, and the food was boiled wheat. The daughter of the Dutch Ambassador and the Sisters of Mercy replaced the men's clothing and supplied them with food. When their wounds were healed they were transferred to a Turkish prison, where 37 men slept and ate in an underground room, 12ft square, infested with Vats and vermin. There Corporal Shoebridge and his comrades -witnessed fearful cruelty to prisoners of the Turks, who were lashed with whips on the soles of their feet, and beaten with canes till they were raw. Again the American' Ambassador assisted them, and they were removed to Asia Minor. The journoy was made in a railway truck without any seats, and took 39 hours.. They were quartered at an-old .Armenian monastery,, and when they were sufficiently recovered they .were sent to work at stone-breaking at Anjjora, where many died of fever. English and Indian prisoners from Bagdad and Kut-el-Aniara arrived, there mere skeletons, with pitiable tales of suffering and brutalit}', and many died. After many months in various camps, Corporal Shoebridge returned to Constantinople, where the preliminaries were arranged for his repatriation to England, which was accomplished after a year's negotiations. After . a period in an English hospital he returned to New Zealand, arriving at the end of September, 1918. He was married a few weeks ago.